March 2, 2017

The minimum wage is being raised another pittance on P.E.I. and there is again discussion about how adequate this will be in addressing the poverty prevalent on P.E.I.

It isn’t adequate, and the NDP along with social justice groups have for several years called for an increase to $15 an hour here and across the country. Along with this increase, of course, would have to be measures to help small businesses absorb the cost.

It isn’t just low wages that keep people poor, in bad health and in mental anguish, it is the mean-spirited charity model used for providing social assistance and other “help” to low-income Islanders.